My new old SKS

ShotgunNut

ShotgunNut

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I picked one up yesterday. They had only 2 left that were used refurbished ones. It does seem like an original gun. All the parts have the same numbers... The parts look pretty good but the stock is pretty beat up. I do plan on an aftermarket one though. I did notice that the springs in the trigger assembly were pretty rusty but it still seems to function fine.

Questions:

Is there a way to clean the bolt out without taking it apart? I heard you can boil the bolt in water. I don't want slam fires and that pin seems like a ##### to get out without a vice.

Also, is it hard to get replacement parts for the gun if ever needed?
 
Take the bolt apart, it's not hard and will be a lot safer to shoot it that way. Don't be lazy and take the time to clean it properly. In it's stock form it's unlikely that it will ever break from how us civilians use them so you don't need to worry about parts. These guns will outlast us.
 
On a "new to me" SKS I like to take the bolt apart once before I use it to give it a good cleaning and inspection. After that my regular cleaning and maintenance is a shot of brake cleaner followed with gun oil. Give it a shake before putting it back in the gun to make sure the pin rattles and I'm good to go. After a shooting day I always clean it before it goes back in the cabinet so build-up of crud or rust is never a problem.
There are a couple of good videos on YouTube that walk you through the process.
 
Well I love cleaning guns so its not a matter of laziness. The pin in the bolt is near the edge of the face, I tried to punch it out but I need a vice to stabilize it or the bolt rolls every time you hit it. I've cleaned every inch of the gun except the inside of the bolt which I can't get apart and that pin is IN there. So I am asking for alternatives right now.
 
Ive fired several new to me sks's without cleaning out the bolt n firing pin channel and so far no problems.
But seriously.. the bolt is pretty darned easy to take apart if youre concerned.
Just whack that pin with the included kit punch and a hammer and she should come out no prob. As previously mentioned, check youtube if u have any concerns.
 
I clean the bolt and carrier with generous amounts of brake cleaner without completely disassembling it. As long as the bolt rattles, your good. Unless its a 1950 rifle, then the pin won't be free floating, and slam fires are not of nearly as much of a concern.
 
where did you pick it up and how much?

I sprayed lots of brake cleaner through my sks bolt when I first got it and it worked pretty good at getting the cosmo out.
 
I have a pc of hard wood (sledge hammer handle) 3" long with a 1/4 hole in it to set the bolt on, line up the pin over the hole, and then I hold the bolt and punch included with the kit, and get my wife to hit the punch with a hammer and tap the pin out. it does come out fairly easy if you hit against something solid.
 
Ive never had an issue without taking the bolt apart. Do you think they disassembled the bolt and put cosmo in there? Doubt it since all my firing pins rattled freely from the factory.
 
Dantes Inferno said:
Ive never had an issue without taking the bolt apart. Do you think they disassembled the bolt and put cosmo in there? Doubt it since all my firing pins rattled freely from the factory.
Click to expand...

I think the entire rifle was dipped in hot Cosmo (liquid when hot). It gets everywhere. Some pins are incredibly difficult to get out. Easier than a vice, find a hard surface/material that you can put a hole into and place the bolt down on the surface with the pin over the hole and hammer away. It feels like you'll damage something, but you won't.
 
The firing pin channel has pretty wide tolerances, lots of airspace around the firing pin.

For cosmoline removal, I shoot some brake cleaner into it, then put the nozle of my air compressor against the firing pin hole on the bolt face and blast the goop out the back. Repeat until it runs clear out the back. I've done it 3 times so far (once for my own, twice for friends), and no problems.

For maintenance, I repeat the process only using G96 solvent/lube. Never had to punch the pin out. There are a few former comblock soldiers in the forums (one or two of them are sponsoring dealers), and they all say to NEVER knock out the retaining pin unless you're having a problem. You're more likely to damage the retaining pin and cause problems than actually solve anything.

If you're one of the guys who knocks out the retaining pin every time you clean, notice how it gets looser/easier every time you do it? That's because you're slowly wearing out the metal and loosening the tolerances. And that's a bad thing.
 
Gofast240 said:
I have a pc of hard wood (sledge hammer handle) 3" long with a 1/4 hole in it to set the bolt on, line up the pin over the hole, and then I hold the bolt and punch included with the kit, and get my wife to hit the punch with a hammer and tap the pin out. it does come out fairly easy if you hit against something solid.
Click to expand...

Hahaha thats funny... she ever smash your fingers?
I think the entire rifle was dipped in hot Cosmo (liquid when hot). It gets everywhere. Some pins are incredibly difficult to get out. Easier than a vice, find a hard surface/material that you can put a hole into and place the bolt down on the surface with the pin over the hole and hammer away. It feels like you'll damage something, but you won't.
Click to expand...

I think I'll do this first. Good idea, minus the wife swinging a hammer at my fingers, lol...

The firing pin channel has pretty wide tolerances, lots of airspace around the firing pin.

For cosmoline removal, I shoot some brake cleaner into it, then put the nozle of my air compressor against the firing pin hole on the bolt face and blast the goop out the back. Repeat until it runs clear out the back. I've done it 3 times so far (once for my own, twice for friends), and no problems.

For maintenance, I repeat the process only using G96 solvent/lube. Never had to punch the pin out. There are a few former comblock soldiers in the forums (one or two of them are sponsoring dealers), and they all say to NEVER knock out the retaining pin unless you're having a problem. You're more likely to damage the retaining pin and cause problems than actually solve anything.

If you're one of the guys who knocks out the retaining pin every time you clean, notice how it gets looser/easier every time you do it? That's because you're slowly wearing out the metal and loosening the tolerances. And that's a bad thing.
Click to expand...

And then I'll maintain it with this method. Thanks for the input everyone!
 
i just use a pin punch, as my cleaning kit punch is bent from trying to take my bolt apart…..
JimDO said:
Ive fired several new to me sks's without cleaning out the bolt n firing pin channel and so far no problems.
But seriously.. the bolt is pretty darned easy to take apart if youre concerned.
Just whack that pin with the included kit punch and a hammer and she should come out no prob. As previously mentioned, check youtube if u have any concerns.
Click to expand...
 
Hole drilled in 2x4. I strip EVERY new to me gun before I fire it. How else can you know what you have or identify defects except by comparing parts to diagrams and making sure of functioning? There are disassembly books on everything and, if you are internet savvy, lots of videos as well.

I have knocked out pins that were bears to drive out, and then hammered them back in. Not loose. I have a couple of near new SKSs that have the pins fall right out when you tip it on the side and shake it. Never considered it a problem.
 
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